Court Rejects Request to Stop Work at Chinatown Wal-Mart

Organized labor opponents of Wal-Mart Inc.’s planned grocery store in the Chinatown area failed on Friday to get a court order temporarily halting the project.

The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 770 requested an administrative stay or temporary restraining order to halt work at the 701 W. Cesar Chavez Ave. site until a Nov. 13 hearing on their request for a permanent injunction.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant refused the request.

“Today’s decision is good news for the local construction team and the surrounding community, who will soon have a new option for jobs and affordable groceries,” said Steven Restivo, a Wal-Mart senior director of community affairs.

The plaintiffs have not issued a statement reacting to the judge’s decision.

Wal-Mart, which announced the 33,000-square-foot grocery in February, has received city permits for the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. But the project has prompted opposition from labor and neighborhood groups, with the City Council now considering an ordinance that would restrict additional large chain stores from opening downtown.